Why Your Core Feels Harder to ‘Find’ After a Break

If you’ve returned to Pilates after the Christmas break and found yourself thinking “Why can’t I feel my core like I used to?”..... you’re not alone. This is one of the most common experiences people have after a break from regular movement, especially in January.

The important thing to know first is this: nothing has gone wrong. Your core hasn’t disappeared, switched off permanently, or failed you. It’s simply doing what bodies do when routines change.

Your core is about connection, not just strength

When people talk about the “core,” they often imagine visible strength as in toned muscles or the ability to hold challenging exercises. In reality, your core is a coordinated system of deep muscles that work closely with your breath, posture, and nervous system.

When life gets busy, stress levels rise, or movement becomes less consistent, that coordination can fade. You may still have strength, but the communication between your brain and your deep muscles becomes quieter. That’s why your core can feel harder to access after a break.

Stress and breathing play a bigger role than you think

Periods of stress , even positive or busy ones, often change how we breathe. Shallow breathing, breath-holding, or constant tension can reduce how effectively your deep core muscles engage. Over time, your body learns to rely on surface muscles instead, which makes core connection feel elusive when you return to Pilates.

This is also why simply trying to “work harder” rarely helps. The issue isn’t effort, it’s awareness.

Why Pilates feels different after time away

Pilates focuses on precision, control, and internal awareness. After a break, these subtle skills are often the first things to feel unfamiliar. Movements that once felt intuitive may now require more concentration, and that can be surprising, especially if you expect to pick up where you left off.

This doesn’t mean you’ve lost progress. It means your body is ready to be reminded.

The good news: it comes back quickly

One of the most encouraging things about core connection is how responsive it is. With gentle, consistent practice - focusing on breath, alignment, and small movements, you'll find the connection begins to return. Often faster than people expect.

Starting slowly isn’t a setback. It’s the most effective way to rebuild trust, confidence, and control.

If your core feels harder to find right now, see it as an invitation, not as a problem. January is a perfect time to reconnect, one mindful movement at a time.

We'll support you anyway that we can, so don't shy away from getting back into your Pilates class, find a time slot that works for you here